RCCS Tidbit Of The Month: Gratitude

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A Component of Reducing Harm – One of the Five Conversations of the RCCS. As psychologists continue to explore the healing impacts on our brains from the practice of gratitude, one thing is clear: Gratitude offers extensive benefits of well-being.

These benefits include:

  1. Increased optimism. Research demonstrates that the practice of gratitude correlates to an increase in positive emotions and a reduction of negative ones.
    Reduced stress and anxiety in times of crisis. In studies following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and elsewhere, the research found that the practice of gratitude diminishes the intensity and frequency of traumatic memories.

  2. Enhanced physical health. Gratitude helps lower blood pressure and improves the quality of our sleep. Researchers have found that by practicing gratitude, we get more sleep, fall asleep more easily, and feel better when we wake up.

  3. Improved relationships. As we become more grateful for our friends and family, we treat them with more kindness and respect.

Daily Practice:

  1. Set aside a few minutes each day to sit in your favorite place (a garden, a park, your backyard), or before you go to bed to reflect on what or who you are grateful for in your life. List 5-10 things and explain why when time permits. Share with a friend or co-worker.

  2. Journal Your Gratitude: Many people start practicing by keeping a daily Gratitude Journal. Some suggested.

The Do’s and Do Not’s of keeping a Gratitude Journal:

Do’s:

  • Keep a Gratitude Journal.

  • Focus on people, pets, or your health rather than things.

  • Be specific on why you are grateful for the things you wrote in your journal.

  • Mix it up. Write something different every day.

  • Expand your awareness. The more you do this, the more you appreciate the gift of life.

Do Not’s:

  • Fake it. Decide to be more grateful.

  • Set a minimum number of things to journal about.

  • Put yourself under pressure to stick to an arbitrary amount to write every day. Be flexible and don’t take the joy away by being too rigid.

  • Rush; this is not another chore to get through!